Dave Stryker CD Release @ Cecils | New Jersey

Whether you’ve heard guitarist Dave Stryker fronting his own group (with 20 CD’s as a leader to date), or as a featured sideman with Stanley Turrentine, Jack McDuff, and Kevin Mahogany, you know why Gary Giddins in the Village Voice calls him “one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years.” He was voted one of the Top Ten Guitarists in the 2001 Critics and Readers Poll of Downbeat Magazine, and was recently elected again as a Rising Star for the 5th time in the 2008 Downbeat Critics Poll. His latest CD is called "Keystone" on SteepleChase Records.

Stryker grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, moved to New York City in 1980, and joined organist Jack McDuff’s group, traveling all over the U.S. for two years (1984-85). From 1986 to 1995, Stryker played with tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, performing at all the major festivals, concert halls, and clubs throughout the world. He has also performed with Freddie Hubbard, James Moody, Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmy Smith, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Eliane Elias, Joe Lovano and many others.

Dave currently performs with The Stryker / Slagle Band (with saxophonist Steve Slagle), The Dave Stryker Organ Trio and his Blue to the Bone Band. He has recorded and published over 130 of his compositions, recorded 20 CD’s under his own name and recorded as a sideman on over 50 others. He has performed all over the world at all the great Jazz Festivals and concert halls including Carnegie Hall, The Monterey Jazz Festival, The Newport Jazz Festival, and The JVC Jazz Festival.

Dave is also involved in passing along his experience by teaching both privately and at the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University, The Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop, The Litchfield Jazz Camp, The Veneto/New School Jazz Workshop in Italy, and The Outreach Jazz Workshop in Austria. His book Dave Stryker’s Jazz Guitar Improvisation Method, is available from Mel Bay Publishing.